I read the whole thing. Thank you for doing this. I can see further significance of a well-researched article on this subject, than the one you mentioned. The witnesses put a lot of stake in the accuracy and truth of their biblical research compared to the rest of "christendom". The supposedly "pagan" practices of all other religious groups are regularly used as evidence that these religions are "false". Display of a single cross, or a belief in the cross by a householder is enough to convince a visiting witness that they are talking to an ignorant "pagan", and no serious thought has to be given to their other beliefs.

I applaud your research, a very well thought out and informative dissertation. However, I have a question or two of curiosity.

If the torture stake WAS a cross, would it change the purpose of Jesus' death, or mankind's guaranteed salvation?

If the cross WAS a torture stake, would it change the purpose of Jesus' death, or mankind's guaranteed salvation?

Oh, and one more question, what was the literal translation given at the beginning of your document?

I'm not trying to be inflammatory, but if you wish to criticize JW's, or any religion for that matter, the subject of contention should be, in fact, contentious. Who cares if Jesus died strapped to a VW bug, he still died for our sins (or whatever wording you wish to insert at this point that has the same meaning), and the "dubs" agree in that respect.

If the torture stake WAS a cross, would it change the purpose of Jesus' death, or mankind's guaranteed salvation?

Answer: NO!

If the cross WAS a torture stake, would it change the purpose of Jesus' death, or mankind's guaranteed salvation?

Answer: NO!

However, since the Watchtower LOVES to make a HUGE ISSUE out of the Cross not being True, and they also CONDEMN Christian Religions for using the "Pagan" Cross.

I haven't gotten to read that Website that was Posted at the top of this Thread yet, but I am planning to soon!

Also, here is an interesting Scripture (from the American Standard Version):

John 20:25: The other Disciples therefore said to him (the Apostle Thomas), We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the NAILS, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.

So, there was definitely more than one nail in Jesus Christ's hands.

This does not necessarily prove one way or the other, but the Society ALWAYS shows Jesus only having ONE NAIL through both hands.

If you were asked to present poof of christs existance, what parts of this research would you reference and how would you present this information as evidence?

Gosh, that is a whole different kettle of fish that appeals to a different body of evidence. I don't know how I would present the evidence. I would suppose I would not just examine extrabiblical and biblical statements on Jesus, but also examine the likelihood a purely legendary or mythical figure with no prior history would suddenly become the center of a new Jewish-Gentile faith (imho very, very unlikely).

I'm not trying to be inflammatory, but if you wish to criticize JW's, or any religion for that matter, the subject of contention should be, in fact, contentious. Who cares if Jesus died strapped to a VW bug, he still died for our sins (or whatever wording you wish to insert at this point that has the same meaning), and the "dubs" agree in that respect.

I dealt with this at the end of the paper. Yes, indeed, it is an insignificant issue in the long run. It makes no difference in Christ's redemptive sacrifice. But you're missing the point. It is the Society that makes such a big deal about it. It is the Society that made false statements about the evidence. For someone who once believed the Society could be trusted for providing truthful information, I was quite disturbed by lack of honesty. This lack of honesty of course extends to other more pressing issues such as the "proof" that we are in "the last days" (i.e. the earthquake evidence) and the Trinity (another area where I was very disturbed by their complete lack of honesty). I am merely showing how they exaggerate and outright lie about the evidence for such a seemingly insignificant belief. Further, I provide a clear example of why it is fallacious to always insist on the most restricted, etymological, or basic meaning. This insistence is at the basis of so many central doctrines of the Witnesses, i.e. sheol and hades mean only "grave," parousia most basically means "presence," kolasin most basically means "cutting-off," etc. etc. I give a concrete example of why this approach is wrong-headed.

I understand that there is a book that is soon to be released, defending passages translated in the New World Translation. This was written by several scholarly JW authors. I believe it has an essay on the "torture stake." You should keep an eye out for it, as it may be released within the next few weeks. I am sure you will find it interesting.

purely legendary or mythical figure with no prior history would suddenly become the center of a new Jewish-Gentile faith (imho very, very unlikely).

Well actually some believe that Jesus was nothing more then another prophet like Abraham and NOT a saviour. I guess that would be my point. Not that he was alive but that he was Christ. What i'm saying is that it all will boil down to what one believes more so then what one may attempt to show proof of. Especially when the subject is biblical

It has been awhile since I was on paltalk. But I do use this "handle" on paltalk. I have not read the individuals research paper on the difference between the torture stake vs the cross. Personally, I dont think it matters much either way.

Very fine article. A+. By the way, are you aware of the medical evidence that Jesus could not have died on a "torture stake"? The fact is, it has been medically proven more than once that the way Jesus' execution is depicted in Watchtower publications would have killed him in only a few minutes, not a few hours as the Bible tells us Christ remained alive after being nailed to the Cross.

According to an article written by Frederick T. Zugibe published in Bible Review magazine in April of 1989, entitled "Two Questions About Crucifixion," in 1948 an Austrian doctor demonstrated that if you hang a person with his hands straight up he will die from suffocation within about six minutes. This article says that this fact has been confirmed a number of times, most recently by a professor of pathology with the University of Columbia. His series of experiments is said to have also demonstrated that if the person is nailed with his arms outright in an angle of 60-70 degrees, he can live for several hours.

Somewhat off the subject, his work is said to have also proven that it is possible to successfully crucify a person by nailing through their hands, not necessarily through their wrists as has been alledged in recent years.

Again, you wrote a great article! Thanks. The Watchtower Society should be ashamed of their dishonesty. In this matter and in many others. : (